Pool Lost Water
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Pool Lost Water
Hi all,
I recently moved into a home that has an in-ground pool. I had it professionally winterized. A couple of months ago, I noticed that the cover was sunken in, meaning that the water level had dropped. Sure enough, when I pulled the cover back the water was down about a foot or so.
I noticed that the water had leaked down to the top of one of the returns, and that the collar for that return was broken.
I don't think it's a broken line, I think maybe it's just this collar? Do they actually seal? If so, it should be an easy fix. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Jim
I recently moved into a home that has an in-ground pool. I had it professionally winterized. A couple of months ago, I noticed that the cover was sunken in, meaning that the water level had dropped. Sure enough, when I pulled the cover back the water was down about a foot or so.
I noticed that the water had leaked down to the top of one of the returns, and that the collar for that return was broken.
I don't think it's a broken line, I think maybe it's just this collar? Do they actually seal? If so, it should be an easy fix. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Jim
#2
What you have use to be a liner pool that someone has coated it with something(probably fiberglass). This ring is used with the liners to seal around the return but it should not be sealing anything now, just there for looks. There could be a crack somewhere as this coating does not hold up very well.
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I would investigate your notion anyway.
Replace the ring like youre' thinking... Too coincidental that after so long, the water level is at that particular point! The ring pushes the edges of the access hole in the liner against that inner insert that has the winter plug installed. When did that ring get broken?
Replace the ring like youre' thinking... Too coincidental that after so long, the water level is at that particular point! The ring pushes the edges of the access hole in the liner against that inner insert that has the winter plug installed. When did that ring get broken?
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I would investigate your notion anyway.
Replace the ring like youre' thinking... Too coincidental that after so long, the water level is at that particular point! The ring pushes the edges of the access hole in the liner against that inner insert that has the winter plug installed. When did that ring get broken?
Replace the ring like youre' thinking... Too coincidental that after so long, the water level is at that particular point! The ring pushes the edges of the access hole in the liner against that inner insert that has the winter plug installed. When did that ring get broken?
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Originally Posted by todrut
There is no liner showing in your picture, is there a liner in the pool now?
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Exactly! Thanks for clarifying. The liner is pretty beat cosmetically, but hadn't leaked until now.
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I think tudrot has a point, It would be a good idea to check the liner under the collar for cracks before replacing the ring. If you see any, then use some silicone sealer under the new collar before submersing it into position.
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Well, the pool guy came by today - the guy that winterized it. Turns out that water had indeed seeped into that return. We pressurized the line and there was no seal there. He had installed the "cork" crooked and it wasn't sealed. Line is probably cracked somewhere between the pump and pool. Need to hack through the concrete to fix it.
#11
I don't know your pool so it is hard to say, BUT, sometimes it is easier just to run a new line rather then try to dig the old one up and find the leak. Something to consider...
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PLEASE tell us that he is not charging you to fix this damage.
Even just he collar should not have been damaged by the expanding ice as winterizing a pool involves preventative measures against this. The broken collar will be a source of a leak, so how is he sure his pressure test accurately indicates the need to dig up your line??
Glycol antifreeze should have been added to the lines after they were evacuated anyway. Unreal.
Even just he collar should not have been damaged by the expanding ice as winterizing a pool involves preventative measures against this. The broken collar will be a source of a leak, so how is he sure his pressure test accurately indicates the need to dig up your line??
Glycol antifreeze should have been added to the lines after they were evacuated anyway. Unreal.
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I guess he really doesn't know for sure. I'm tempted to replace the collar and see what happens. We put about 20 PSI on that line and it blew bubbles past the cork, which probably means that water got into the pipe, but that's no guarantee that it's broken. I need to seal it better, pressurize it, and see if it holds.
#14
If it was pressure tested properly, the broken ring would not make a difference. I pressure test when building a new pool before the liner is ever dropped. If water level was near return and water froze then dropped below return, the ice will fall breaking the return plate.
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If it was pressure tested properly, the broken ring would not make a difference. I pressure test when building a new pool before the liner is ever dropped. If water level was near return and water froze then dropped below return, the ice will fall breaking the return plate.
I'll hack it open and run new line. Trouble is that there's a second return that's T'd in somewhere. Will have to re-do both of them. The concrete patio around the pool is pretty deteriorated anyway, so I don't mind hacking into it.
#17
Rent a concrete saw from the big chain hardware store, cut from pools edge two cuts 12" wide centered from returns, straight back to end of deck. From here you can dig down to returns and run new plumbing to pump pad.
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Jim
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Well, now I don't know what to think. I replaced that ring and filled the pool up to just below the skimmer so I have a frame of reference. I pulled the plug out of the return line in question and let the pipes fill. It's been holding the same level for several days now.
It's a mystery, but I'm gonna hook up the pump and filter and see what happens.
Jim
It's a mystery, but I'm gonna hook up the pump and filter and see what happens.
Jim
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turbojimmy I think that you were right from your first post.
You sound like you know what you're doing.
Remember you will lose some water from evaporation, but not enough to cause problems with water frequently dipping below your skimmer and killing the prime on your filter. If that happens then yes you have a leak somewhere else as well. But I really think you fixed it.
Hopefully you'll get to enjoy this thing soon!
You sound like you know what you're doing.
Remember you will lose some water from evaporation, but not enough to cause problems with water frequently dipping below your skimmer and killing the prime on your filter. If that happens then yes you have a leak somewhere else as well. But I really think you fixed it.
Hopefully you'll get to enjoy this thing soon!
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Ok - here's deal.....
The return lines pressure tested okay. But, there was a massive leak on the skimmer line and a small leak on another suction line. Turned out the water froze in the elbow at the bottom of the skimmer. The skimmer needed replaced, as did both suction lines.
A friend of a friend is in the pool business and helped me out by cutting through the concrete and getting me the parts. I just shocked it and got the filter going yesterday. It's starting to clear up nicely, but I still have a lot of work to do in finishing the job. Here's some pics:
I'm shooting for Memorial Day weekend to be done....
Jim
The return lines pressure tested okay. But, there was a massive leak on the skimmer line and a small leak on another suction line. Turned out the water froze in the elbow at the bottom of the skimmer. The skimmer needed replaced, as did both suction lines.
A friend of a friend is in the pool business and helped me out by cutting through the concrete and getting me the parts. I just shocked it and got the filter going yesterday. It's starting to clear up nicely, but I still have a lot of work to do in finishing the job. Here's some pics:
I'm shooting for Memorial Day weekend to be done....
Jim
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As I mentioned earlier, the pool is old. I think the leak on the other suction line was pre-existing. There were also several cracks in the plumbing that led up to the valve for the suction lines. Technically none of this is my problem (I'm just responsible for maintenance as the renter), but I figured as long as I was hacking through concrete that I'd do it right for the landlord. The leaks were small enough to not cause much of a problem. I did notice, however, that last year when the DE filter was clogged, the pump would lose suction. I thought that was normal, too. Now that everything is new, the pump stays primed even when the filter is completely clogged (a topic for another thread).
Great job Jim, a true DIY'ER... Sorry to hear more pipes froze...
The pool should be much easier to live with this season. As I said, last season it kept losing prime when the filter got clogged (a daily event) so it was tough to keep it clean. In addition to now having leak-free plumbing, the landlord sprung for a new filter, which I will install later this week. In the meantime I'm vacuuming all the gunk through the old filter so as not to pollute the brand new one. I'm going through a lot of DE, but it's cheap enough....
Jim